Visit to Paris: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont - Cité des Sciences

This walk starts at the Buttes-Chaumont park, follows the Bassin de la Villette, the Canal de l'Ourcq and ends at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie.

The proposed hike takes place in the 19th district of Paris. The proposed departure is in the Buttes Chaumont park, the most spectacular park of Paris. Its name comes from the contraction of "Monts Chauves". It is the fifth green space in Paris but the one with the greatest difference in level: 30 meters. This slope is the heritage of its past, it was used as a gypsum quarry until 1860 but also for the slaughter of horses. A gallows (gibet de Montfaucon) was even built there. It was converted into a park at the instigation of Napoleon III, who entrusted its construction to Jean-Charles Alphand. A must-see in the park: the waterfall, the grotto and the island of the belvedere served by the suspended footbridge and the bridge of the suicides (if someone has an explanation on this name, thank you for posting a comment). After the junction by the bassin de la villette, the hike ends by the parc de la Villette. Established on former slaughterhouses, of which the great hall remains a vestige, the park serves many sites: the city of sciences with its Géode, the concert hall of the Zenith, the city of music and the great hall of the Villette.

Interest: ratingvery good (1 user)
Difficulty: difficulty
Duration: 2 h.
Departure point (Google Maps)

Start of the hike

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Start of the hike
The departure is from the Buttes-Chaumont metro station. The park is built on old quarries. The construction was made under Napoleon III. The inauguration was done on April 1st 1867. In photo, the bridge of the suicides.

Buttes-Chaumont Park

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Buttes-Chaumont Park
The relief is hilly. To see in the park: the waterfall, the cave and the island of the belvedere. It is certainly one of the most beautiful parks in Paris.

The lake of the belvedere

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The lake of the belvedere
Above the lake, at a height of 30 meters, you can see a kiosk called "Temple of the Sibyl", built in 1869.

Access to the island

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Access to the island
The island can be reached via the suspended footbridge. This magnificent, totally artificial park is an idealized reproduction of an alpine environment. A must see.

Lock of the basin of la villette

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Lock of the basin of la villette
After leaving the park by the avenue Secretan. We join the bassin de la Villette. This artificial basin is the largest in Paris.

Basin lock

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Basin lock
View of the lock from the footbridge.

Passing in front of the MK2 cinema

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Passing in front of the MK2 cinema
On the other side, you can see the MK2 cinema complex. The place is very busy, there are many restaurants around the basin. One crosses there a young and trendy population.

View on the docks

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View on the docks
The walk along the quays is very pleasant.

Crossing to the other side

Crossing to the other side
The route continues towards the Geode.

The Geode

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The Geode
The Geode is a 360° cinema that projects IMAX films. It is part of the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie. You can also visit the Argonaute submarine.

Grande halle de la Villette

Grande halle de la Villette
We finish with the Grande halle de la Villette. The Parc de la Villette includes the Zenith and the Cité de la Musique

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